The defence The Big-Idea Head
“Form is the argument.”
Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.
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The Falcon and the Snowman
Thriller · Drama · Crime · 1985
The true story of a disillusioned military contractor employee and his drug pusher childhood friend who became walk-in spies for the Soviet Union.
Movie details
The Falcon and the Snowman
“They came from the best of families. And they committed the worst of crimes.”
1985 Thriller · Drama · Crime 2h 12m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
6.4 / 10
Community rating
The true story of a disillusioned military contractor employee and his drug pusher childhood friend who became walk-in spies for the Soviet Union.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The Falcon and the Snowman?
For the defence
The Big-Idea Head
“You watch with your brain, not your gut.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Popcorn Loyalist
“Big screen, big feelings, no apologies.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
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The Counterfeit Traitor
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The Courier
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The Outsiders
Crime · 1983
In 1960s Tulsa, class divisions ignite a violent rivalry between the working-class Greasers and the privileged Socs. When a deadly encounter forces two Greasers, Ponyboy and Johnny, to flee, their struggle for survival and redemption exposes the fragile innocence and enduring bonds of youth on the wrong side of town.
Where it lives
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
John Schlesinger
Written by
Steven Zaillian
Timothy Hutton
Christopher Boyce
Sean Penn
Daulton Lee
Pat Hingle
Mr. Charlie Boyce
Joyce Van Patten
Mrs. Boyce
Art Camacho
Boyce Child
Richard Dysart
Dr. Lee
Priscilla Pointer
Mrs. Lee
Court is in session
Put The Falcon and the Snowman on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist
“Technique in search of a pulse.”
Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.